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Top Breeder for 7 years since 2005
Top Breeder, Top Bitch & Top Puppy 2011
Welcome to the world of Gwendariff Irish Setters.
Annie
Sh Ch & Ir Sh Ch CLONAGEERA KLASSIQUE GWENDARIFF
(Sh Ch Starchelle Chicago Bear X Sh Ch Clonageera Stella)
9th February 1998 – 6th March 2012
I have been asked by many people to write something to commemorate the life of my very special girl, Annie. Before doing so I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone so very, very much for all the lovely cards, messages, texts, Face Book comments and phone calls I have received since we made the heart breaking decision to assist sleep for our precious girl. Your kindness and generosity in word and deed has been totally overwhelming.
I was at Bournemouth Championship show in 1996 and saw a beautiful bitch in Open named Sh Ch Clonageera Stella. I thought her most lovely; not too big, very pretty and sound as a pound all completed with such a lovely nature and style about her. I had long admired Sh Ch Marksway Marquis and his breeding was from Andana, the same foundation as the Clonageeras. I spoke to Stellas breeder, Pat Rutherford that day and decided to book a puppy there and then. I waited for 18 months until the day I got her. I never could have dreamed that this little bundle was going to have such an impact on my life.
 From the moment I got her I just knew she was special. She had a certain air about herself that I had never seen in any of my other setters, but yet she was so gentle and kind. Her soft expression could have melted a stone.
Annies first show was South of England Irish Setter Club under Jim Smith and she won three classes. Jims verbal critique, I can remember, spoke about her beautiful shoulders and how refined she was through the blades. He said she had the best shoulders of the day. I was so delighted.
I call her my ‘First Lady’ – as she was the first Irish Setter I had owned who had achieved a Challenge Certificate , the first to achieve a Best in Show award at a Club Show, the first to achieve an All Breeds Best in Show here in Ireland, the first to attain a Show Champion Certificate in Ireland, the first to achieve a Show Champion Certificate in UK, the first to attain the very coveted Dog World Brood Bitch award – which she then won for 4 years in succession. ( Her daughter Pop My Cork then retained this title for our kennel after her. ) I mated her to Sh Ch Danaway Fortune Teller JW and she had ten puppies. Three went into the show ring and all three became Show Champions, G Moet & Chandon, G Dom Perignon, G Pop My Cork – these three dogs amassed a total of 48 CC’s between them with Dom Perignon going on to produce 10 more Champions in UK & Ireland and two others currently on 2 CC’s and litter sister G Pop My Cork going on to produce 6 more Champions in the UK and Ireland and three other CC winners , so far. Annies grandchild, Gwendariff Rock Chick is a combination of both Dom Perignon and Pop My Cork and her mating to the successful Stud, Shenanagin What Next, has given Rock Chick this years ISAE title of Top Brood Bitch. What a lovely testament to my darling girl that her child and now her grandchild have followed in her footsteps.
People often ask about your special memories in the show ring. One of my most treasured was when Annie won her first CC (and my first) at Midlands Irish Setter Club in 2001 under judge Roy Rout. She was young but had to go into Mid Limit due to her Irish Kennel Club wins. I was totally shocked when she got the ticket and really didn’t know whether to be ecstatic or cry ! In the end I did both – but cried privately in the car after it had all sank in. The worst bit however was that I didn’t even get to go home with her, as she was going off to Danaway with the late Brian & Mary Gurney to be mated to James later the next week……………it was the most awful feeling ever. That night I was staying with a friend, Jo Howe who had Weimaraners. When I got to her house she produced a couple of bottles of Champagne to celebrate – that’s how we came to have champagne names for the litter Annie was now hopefully going to have. Annies second CC came at Driffield under judge Christine Schofield – that day John Thirlwells Shandwick Amethyst at Ferndel won his 3rd CC and BOB . I have a lovely photo of the day that Annie won her 3rd CC on home ground at Belfast & District Irish Setter Club under the late June Hill. This time it was her turn to win BOB and Best in Show, as the CC Dog was non other than Shandwick Amethyst again ! When Dom Perignon won his second CC at Blackpool under judge Val Lockhart it was so wonderful when his lovely mum Annie won the Reserve – a truly lovely day. In Ireland my most memorable day was when she won Best in Show at Bray General Championship show in 2002. It was a breed specialist doing the breed, Terry O’Leary and also another breed specialist judging the Gundog Group, Anne Gormley. I was so delighted to have won the Group and never really considered that we would go any further. Respected Irish All Rounder, judged Best In Show and when he chose Annie as his Best in Show winner, the audience erupted. I came out of the ring and so many people were there to see her. I was overwhelmed at just how popular she was. Such lovely comments she received.
I have spoken about my memorable times in the ring with Annie but at home she was just a little star and very quickly but quietly took up her position in the pack as Alpha female. Her subtle ways, with just the lift of a brow or a sideways glance were enough to keep the naughtiest young pup in check. She loved her walks and having that special time away with me when we were at shows. She was my shadow. When she was due her first litter I was on a course with my work so I asked my mum to come over to watch her. She had been panting heavily through the night and I really did not want to leave her as I thought she might start within a few hours. I had an exam on the course so had no option but to attend. She waited all day until I came home and as soon as she heard my voice, the first was born – it was now 6 pm at night! She was very assured of herself, she never gave kisses except first thing in the morning to greet you – I still miss waking her.
We chose not to attend Crufts this year preferring to spend our time saying our Goodbyes to our darling girl – she still gave us special memories even when we were doing that……….
‘Annie Ritchie’ as we used to call her , was a very special dog. I am heartbroken that she is gone but feel so proud of her and everything she has given us. She made Gwendariff what it is today. We shall endeavour to uphold her legacy. I am just so privileged to have the honour of being part of her life. Thank you Pat & Jim for allowing me to have her. She is pictured below in her hey day with all her other brothers and sisters – all became Show Champions. It was a lovely era and ‘family’ to be part of. I am truly grateful.
‘Annie we miss you but I know that you are here – my darling girl your spirit surrounds me every day. Thank you for such special times. ‘
Diane & Alec
Two New Junior Warrant Winner
for Two New Irish Setter Exhibitors!
 Gwendariff Viva Las VegasJW
Owned by Ian Vatcher & Steve Jones
and
Gwendariff Gonna Be Special JW
Owned by Ruth & Anne Longbottom & Diane
Elvis wins his first CC at Boston 2012
Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Whata Corker JW
Elvis, who has just turned 3 years old, delighted us winning the first CC of 2012
Exclusively handled by Jackie Lorrimer
Click here to view the video of Elvis winning the CC
TOP BREEDER 2011
Thanks to all our CC Winners that contributed to us winning this most prestigious award again!
Sh Ch & Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Rock Diva JW CW'10
Sh Ch Gwendariff Rockin' Robin JW
Sh Ch Gwendariff Pop The Question JW
Gwendariff Mr Noticeme JW
We have won this award for 7 years since 2005!
Top Irish Setter Bitch 2011
Sh Ch & Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Rock Diva JW CW'10
Sunshine - 4 CCs & 7 RCCs
Co-owned with Cathy Neill
Top Irish Setter Puppy 2011
Gwendariff Gonna Be Special
Daisy - co-owned with Ruth & Anne Longbottom
AJ gains his title at Dublin!
Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Mr I'm The One
We are delighted for Kim & Drew Smyth whose dedicated care and hard work of the lovely AJ has been rewarded.
AJ won his 7th Green Star at Dublin in December.
A great year for these first time Irish Setter owners and AJ who along the way also took Reserve Best in Show at Carlow.
Sunshine wins the CC at Midland Counties !
Another fantastic day for Gwendariff, winning the Bitch CC, and breeding the Dog RCC , Best Puppy in Breed and 5 class winners, not to mention 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Open Dog and 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Puppy Bitch !
'Delighted' just doesn't come close !!!
'Sunshine' gains her title !
Sh Ch & Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Rock Diva JW CW'10
Sunshine wins her 3rd CC, BOB and Gundog Group 4 at South Wales Champ Show.
Sh Ch & Ir Sh Ch Clonageera Klassique Gwendariff
Our darling 'Annie' - from whom all current Gwendariffs descend.
Annie wishes all her Grandchildren 'GOOD LUCK' for the forthcoming CRUFTS 2011.
Sh Ch & Irish Sh Ch Gwendariff Pop My Cork
Winner of Dog World TOP BROOD BITCH 2010
Irish Sh Ch Gwendariff Whata Corker JW
Photo by Will Harris
Elvis gained his Show Champion title in style by winning Group 7 at Cloghran Championship show.
This followed his Reserve Best in Show win at Bull Breeds Championship show - and still not 2 years old!!!
Another DOUBLE for Gwendariff Irish Setters!
A new Show Champion for Sue Edwards with BOB
and a 2nd CC for Alison & Frank
Left - ShCh Gwendariff Rockin Robin JW -3 CC's 9 RCC's
Right - Gwendariff Miss Whiplash JW - 2 CC's
Both of the above are Dom Perignon kids out of two sisters,
Gwendariff Rock Chick and Sh Ch & Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Ms Dynamite
GB & Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Ms. Dynamite
Our latest GB Champion!
Aimée's wins the CC, her second at
SWKA Championship Show
& her third and title at
Gundog Society of Wales - Oct 2010
Gwendariff Fizzy Pop JW
1 CC, 2 RCCs - DOB 22/11/2007
RCC - Midland Irish Setter Society
Pictured here - aged 17 months
Gwendariff Rock Diva JW
2 RCCs - DOB 01/07/2007
Runner Up - NI Gundog of the Year
Pictured here - aged 2½ years old
Gwendariff Pop The Question JW
1 CC, 1 RCC - DOB 22/11/2007
Dog CC - Boston Championship Show 2010
Sh Ch Danaway Lancelot of Autumnwood x Sh Ch & Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Pop My Cork
Owned by Mrs Jill Holley and Mrs Anna Cheney
Winning his first CC on the day - many congratulations!
Gwendariff Mr Noticeme JW
Dog CC - Setter and Pointer Club 2009
Photo: Ian Newsham
Sh Ch & Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Dom Perignon JW x Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Ms Dynamite
Owned by Hilary and Charlie Crosswell
Winning their first CC on the day - many congratulations!
Gundog Group 3 - Driffield 2009!
Sh Ch & Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Pop My Cork
Winning her 18th CC
Picture taken after her recent win - Aged 8 ½ years old
Our latest Champion
Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Rockafella JW
wins Reserve Best in Show at
Drogheda & District All Breed Championship show
Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Rockafella JW
"Scott"
Click here to view Scott's page
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